Book of Song

Bushes and Briars

by trad

Through bushes and through briars
I lately took my way
All for to hear the small birds sing
the lambs to sport and play
All for to hear the small birds sing
the lambs to sport and play

I overhead my own true love
his voice was loud and clear
Long time have I been waiting for
The coming of my dear
Long time have I been waiting for
The coming of my dear

Sometimes I am uneasy
And troubled in my mind
Sometimes I think I'll go to my love
And tell to him my mind
Sometimes I think I'll go to my love
And tell to him my mind

But if I should go to my love
My love He would say “nay”
If I show to him my boldness
He'll ne'er love me again
If I show to him my boldness
He'll ne'er love me again
Come all of you young women
and listen unto me
and don't you go and build your nest
on the top of any tree
and don't you go and build your nest
on the top of any tree


for the green leaves they will wither
and the branches will decay
and the beauty of a woman
it soon will fade away
and the beauty of a woman
it soon will fade away